Four years into the 2020s, we’ve fully embraced the magnetic resurgence of the Y2K aesthetic. The Y2K trend has had a huge impact on many forms of self-expression, including music, gaming, fashion, beauty, and design, and it doesn’t look like its luster is going away anytime soon. And now, another iconic item from the 2000s is making a comeback. Behold, the bubble skirt.
bubble skirt is back
A subtle, slow comeback, the bubble skirt, or balloon skirt, is beginning to appear on the runways and streets. Balloon skirts have been scattered throughout haute couture collections for the past two years, as if fashion houses were testing whether they would fly into the hearts of their audience or fall flat.
Perhaps the resurgence of the bubble skirt is becoming more and more obvious, and in 2024 this trend will finally reach its peak. Now, Bubble’s skirt silhouettes are executed with a more elevated approach, as seen in his Spring/Summer 2023 collection for Johnson and Dauphinette, and his Spring/Summer 2024 runway for Miu Miu. It has been. It was in contrast to the silhouettes of the time: bright colors, exaggerated details, and flashy patterns, once favored by the likes of Paris Hilton.
The last time I saw someone wearing a bubble skirt in public was back in 2007. For girls in the 90s, bubble skirts were on the loser’s bench alongside peplum and bandage dresses. We buried that phase in the back of our minds and never looked back. So it’s hard for me to believe that what was once a not-so-pretty silhouette is back on the market. But will this piece leave an impact like her other Y2K items, or will it simply fade away?
Born in the 50’s
Bubble silhouettes became popular in the late ’50s, with Pierre Cardin and Hubert Givenchy experimenting with bulging silhouettes in 1954 and 1956, respectively. Given the fact that this era featured silhouettes that accentuated narrow waists with fitted bodices, colorful prints, and voluminous skirts, it’s no wonder Bubble’s skirt became a beloved item of his ’50s era. No wonder.
By 1958, this silhouette was popular for cocktails and evening wear. new york times said that the bubble skirt was “one of the most beautiful dance fashions of the evening”, especially when styled with sheer stockings and evening gloves, iconic items of the time. However, it did not reach the same level of phenomenon as his A-line silhouette introduced by Christian Dior, which came to define the fashion of the era.
modern revival
We reimagine the image of the balloon skirt with a new approach, exuding modesty and elegance. Jason Wu showed off his bubble-hem maxi dress that evokes warm spring moods in the Fall/Winter 22 collection. Meanwhile, Proenza Schouler offered a subtle interpretation of gopcore through structured balloon skirts in his Spring/Summer 23 collection. Nowadays, balloon pants are enthusiastically welcomed and quickly become the new popular element of balletcore style.
Today’s styling of the bubble skirt made me reconsider its appeal. Why were bubble skirts not considered attractive in the past? Perhaps they were previously perceived as tacky because they looked childish, especially when paired with leggings? Unlike now, they are available Length options were limited. I wasn’t sure if midi or maxi bubble skirts had been on the market before, but their minimalist new approach makes bubble skirts appealing for a variety of occasions, including everyday wear, formal events, and vacations. became.
Would you like to buy a bubble skirt?
(Hi/Alm)